The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-10
THE AUTUMN TIME.
BY NATHANIEL. HAWTHORNE,

How early in the summer, too, the prophecy of autumn comes. writes tho author in his "Mosses from An Old Manse." Earlier in some years than in others; sometimes even in the first weeks of July. There Is no feel ing like what Is caused by this faint, doubtful, yet rcal perception-if 1t be not rather foreboding of the years decay, so blessedly sweet and sad in the same breath.
 Did say that t..Gre wSs no feeling like il? An, but there Is half &C., know ledged melancholy like to this when we stand in the perfect vigor oi our lite and feel that time has now given us all his flowers, and that the next work of his never idle fingers must be 10 steal them ono by one away.
 have forgotten whether the song of the cricket be not as early token ot autumn's approach as any other that song which may be called an audible stiffness; though very loud and heard aiar, the mind does not take note of it as sound, so completely Is it's individual existence merged among the accompanying characteristics of the season. Alas for the pleasant summer timel In August the grass Is still vertiant on the hills and in the val leys; the foliage of the trees is as dense as ever. and as green the flow CTS gleam forth in richer abundance along the margin ot the river and by tho stone walls and deep among the woods; the days, too, are as fervii as they were month ago, and yet in every breath Of wind and in every beam of sunshine we hear the whis- pered farewell and behold the parting smile of dear friend. There Is a coldness amid all the heat, n mildness in the blazing noon. Not breeze can stir but it thrills us with the breath of autumn. \ pensive glory is seen in the far, golden gleams among the shadows of the trees. Tho flowers even the brightest of them have this gentle sadness welded to their pomp, and typify the character of the deli cious time each within itself. The brilliant cardinal flower has never seemed gay to me.
 Still later in the season natures ten- derness waxes stronger. II is impos- sible not to be fond of our mother now, for she Is so fond of us At other periods she does not make this impression on me, or only a. intervals; but in these genial days of autumn, when she has perfected her harvest and accomplished every needfnl thing that was given her to do then she over1ows with blessed suporlluity of love. She has leisure 10 carcss her children now. Ii is good to be alive at such times Thank heaven for breath yes. for mere breath when it is made up of heavenly breeze like this! It comes with real kiss upon our cheeks; it would finger fondly around us if it might, but since 1t must be gone it embraces us with Its whole kindly heart, and passes on- ward to embrace likewise the next thing that 1t meets. A blessing Is flung abroad and scattered far and wide over the earth. to be gathered up ny MI WHo Chooe'' icSiihe uPo" the still unwithered grass and whisper to myself: 70, pcrfet day! Q, beau tifuI world! 0, benefcent God v' And it is the promise of blessed eternity for our Creator would never have made such lovely days and have given us the deep hearts to enjoy them. above and beyond all thought, unless we were made to be immortal This sunshine is the golden pledge thereof It beams through the gates of paradise and shows ns glimpses far | inward. - Erchdnge.